It's the last episode before a well-earned summer break! I'm swapping the mic for some quality time with my son before he starts secondary school, because some moments matter more than deadlines. There'll be no new episodes in August, but I'll be back in September, refreshed and ready to go.

Before I go, I want to hear from you: video episodes or audio only? Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly? Any guests or topics you're dying to hear covered? Drop me a message on Instagram (@emmacossey), pop into the Facebook group or Discord, or email [email protected] . I'm genuinely listening and can't wait to shape the next chapter with your ideas.

Enjoy the summer, and see you in September!

This episode has been lovingly edited by Alicia at The Admin Den (and the wonderful Sarah has brought you the blog and Youtube), helping busy podcasters like me sound their best without lifting a finger.

Alicia Cornell is a Virtual Assistant and Business Support specialist, based in Berkshire with over 14 years experience in improving business systems to truly work for the people using them. Alicia founded The Admin Den to support mothers running small businesses because she's one herself, and she knows exactly what kind of chaos that particular combination brings. The Admin Den team offers hands-on VA support, email marketing, social media content and takes on specialist projects (including CRM integrations, automations and training sessions) for businesses that need an extra expert pair of hands allowing clients to spend less time on admin and more time on the parts of their business they love.

Connect with Alicia! Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Newsletter | Get her free, printable Summer Holiday Planner which helps small business owners map out the school holidays without losing their business, or their mind, in the process.

Timestamps:

0:00 Freelancers Tea Break: Welcome & Introduction 0:18 August Summer Break & Podcast Changes 0:31 Freelancing as a Parent: School Transitions 1:18 Access to Work Funding Cuts for Neurodivergent Freelancers 1:43 Future Format: Video Podcasts for Freelancers? 2:22 Community Feedback: What Freelancers Want 2:46 Thank You & See You in September

Follow me on Instagram

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Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

Fancy starting a podcast but the thought of buying a mic, learning fancy software, and building a whole "studio" fills you with dread? Good news, you might already have everything you need in your pocket. This episode is a quick, happy little discovery about a hidden feature on the iPhone that could save you time, money, and a fair few headaches if you're thinking about recording audio.

We're talking about the humble Voice Memos app and its secret weapon: Studio Voice, which cleans up your audio and strips out background noise like magic, plus a built-in transcript feature. Whether you're recording on the go, don't have space for a full tech setup, or just need a low-effort way to get your voice out into the world, this one's proof that great content doesn't need to be perfect, just real. A lovely little tip for anyone dipping their toes into podcasting.

Timestamps:

0:00 Freelancers Tea Break: iPhone Podcasting Hack for Freelancers 0:17 iPhone 16 Voice Memos Studio Voice: Record Podcasts Without a Studio 0:42 How to Use iPhone Studio Voice & Transcripts for Podcasting 1:51 Why Imperfect Audio Wins: Authentic Podcasting for ADHD Freelancers 2:20 Accessible Freelancing: Podcast From Bed With Just Your Phone 3:09 Start Podcasting Today: iPhone Voice Memos Setup for Freelancers

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

Quick one this week, but it might just be the best piece of freelance advice you'll ever get. Ever said "I'll have it to you by Friday" when nobody even asked for Friday, then spent the next few days low-key panicking? Yeah, us too. In this episode, we're talking about why that little habit of overpromising (and the scramble that follows) is quietly sabotaging your chances to actually impress your clients.

The fix is refreshingly simple: underpromise, overdeliver. Give yourself a bit more wiggle room than you think you need, and suddenly you've got the breathing space to do brilliant work, hit deadlines early, and leave clients genuinely wowed instead of just... satisfied. It's a small mindset shift with a big knock-on effect, and one you can start using today. Short, sweet, and worth writing on a Post-it.

Timestamps:

0:00 - My Best Freelance Advice Intro 0:25 - Find Your Freelance Community: Join Our Discord Server 0:44 - Under Promise Overdeliver: The Best Freelance Business Strategy 0:58 - Overpromising & Underdelivering: The Freelancer Trap to Avoid 1:55 - Give Yourself Wiggle Room: Deadline Tips for ADHD Freelancers 3:02 - How to Wow Clients: Managing Results & Expectations 3:16 - Final Takeaway: Build a Sustainable Freelance Career

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

How much should you actually be charging as a freelancer? Spoiler: there's no magic number, but there are some brilliant guides out there to help you stop plucking figures out of thin air. This episode is your cheat sheet to finding out what other freelancers are really charging, so you can stop guessing and start pricing with confidence.

We're rounding up the best places to snoop on industry rates, from YunoJuno's annual guides to LondonFreelance.org's brilliantly nosy "what I was actually paid" submissions, plus IPSE, Reddit's Freelance UK threads, and a handy calculator to get you started. There's also a timely nudge about the gender pay gap in freelancing (yes, it's a thing here too) and why doing a bit of local research matters just as much as national averages. Come for the numbers, stay for the confidence boost, and if you've still got questions, the community's waiting for you on Discord (link below to join).

Links from the episode: YunoJuno, Londonfreelance.org, IPSE, Reddit Freelance UK, and Sally Farrant's Pricing Calculator

Timestamps:

0:00 How Much Do Freelancers Earn? Podcast Introduction 0:21 Freelance Pricing: Why There's No 'Perfect' Rate 0:40 Freelance Rate Guides: Where to Find Reliable Data 0:57 YunoJuno Industry Guide: Freelance Rates by Sector 1:25 LondonFreelance.org: Anonymous Freelance Pay Reports 2:08 IPSE: not-for-profit membership association dedicated to the self-employed. 2:30 Reddit: Freelancer Community Resources 2:41 Freelance Gender Pay Gap: Why Women Charge Less 3:22 How to Research Freelance Rates in Your Area 3:42 Freelance Rate Calculator: How Much Should You Charge? 4:04 Join the Freelancer Community (neurodivergent friendly!)

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

Ever feel like everyone else got the "how to freelance successfully" manual and you're just winging it? This week's episode is here to tell you: you're not alone, and that glossy six-figure freelance life you see on social media is mostly smoke and mirrors. In this episode, I get honest about what freelancing actually looks like right now: quiet quarters, wobbly income, and all.

Inside, you'll get practical, no-fluff tips for riding the ups and downs: how to spot your own seasonal patterns, simple automations to make saving painless, and gentle reminders to keep marketing yourself even when business is booming. Whether you're just starting out or you've been freelancing for years, this one's a warm, reassuring pep talk with your feet firmly on the ground, plus a peek inside the Freelance Business Lounge if you fancy some proper community and support along the way. It includes twice-weekly calls, Tuesday accountability, Voxer support, and bundled courses/trainings all for £30/month.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction: Freelancing Reality for ADHD & Neurodivergent Freelancers 0:54 Social Media vs Real Freelancing: The Truth About Freelance Life 1:50 Freelance Income Dropping? Why You're Not Alone in 2024 2:10 AI & Freelance Jobs: Impact on Copywriters & Graphic Designers 3:27 How to Plan Your Freelance Income Calendar Year Round 5:12 Pivoting Your Freelance Business When Old Strategies Stop Working 5:58 Why Inconsistent Freelance Income Is Normal (And How to Handle It) 7:02 ADHD Freelancer Money Tips: Automation, Savings & Pension 8:08 How to Keep Marketing When Freelance Work Is Slow 9:30 Freelance Business Lounge: Community for Freelancers

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this quick episode, I'm sharing a warning about scammy discovery call bookings that freelancers are increasingly running into now that we rely on booking links. I've heard of calls being booked where the other person turns up just to hard sell to the freelancer, and a recent example from my team involved repeated bookings, a document that wouldn't open, and a prompt asking for an email address, lots of red flags!

If something feels off, I recommend Googling the person's email address or name, checking LinkedIn, and looking for reports on places like Reddit or spam-flagging sites (especially for phone numbers). These situations are rare, but it's worth being cautious, asking extra questions before the call, and sharing any scam trends you've noticed.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and Topic 00:15 Discovery Call Scam Setup 00:44 Hard Sell Call Trap 01:02 Team Member Red Flags 01:36 Quick Vetting Steps 02:08 Stay Cautious and Follow Up 02:34 More Scams to Cover 03:07 Wrap Up and Goodbye

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode of The Freelancer's Tea Break, I'm reflecting on my son nearing the end of primary school and sharing practical ways I've managed childcare while freelancing, especially over the long summer holidays.

I explain how UK tax-free childcare works (pay £8 in, get £2 topped up) and remind you it can help beyond nursery, including some after-school and summer clubs (depending on who accepts it).

I also talk about how things get easier as kids get older, and share other support options that have helped me, including help from family (while acknowledging it's a privilege), swapping childcare with friends, using outdoors clubs, and looking into workspaces that offer childcare or gyms with crèches.

I also stress the importance of balancing childcare with your partner and invite tips for the secondary school transition, especially for neurodivergent children.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and Life Update 00:31 Tax Free Childcare Basics 02:07 Summer Holiday Juggle 03:11 When Kids Get Older 05:02 Practical Support Options 05:23 Family Help and Privilege 07:08 Swaps With Friends 07:57 Workspaces With Childcare 09:15 Partnering and Sharing Load 10:13 Recap and Next Transition 11:16 Community Links and Goodbye

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode, I'm talking through what to do when someone asks you to work for free, whether it's an unpaid "test project", spec work, or a talk with no budget. I share why you can (and should) feel confident declining, plus a few polite scripts you can use.

If you do want to offer something, I cover alternatives like directing people to your portfolio/testimonials, creating a short free resource that builds your mailing list, offering a paid taster or paid spec work, or agreeing a clear skill swap. I also explain when free appearances can be more like PR/marketing (such as podcasts or local networking talks), and why "exposure" rarely pays, especially without anything agreed in writing, even for unpaid work.

Timestamps: 00:00 Why Free Work Requests Happen 01:05 Just Say No 01:39 Polite Declines and Freebies 03:19 Handling Spec Work 04:23 When Free Has Payoff 06:17 Get It in Writing 06:28 Skill Swaps Done Right 08:03 Exposure Myths and Boundaries 08:58 PR vs Free Consulting 09:48 Wrap Up and TLDR

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

If the idea of outsourcing in your business feels scary, you're not alone. For a lot of freelancers and small business owners, "outsourcing" can sound like handing over everything (your inbox, your accounts, your social media, your systems) and trusting someone else with the things you've been doing solo for years. Grips laptop nervously to chest

The good news is, you don't have to start big. In fact, you're much more likely to succeed (and actually enjoy the process) if you start with one small, contained task that removes stress and creates consistency. (And for me, consistency was always the challenge, so having someone to do the last bit really helped)

This post will walk you through tiny, practical ways to outsource, especially if you're nervous about it, plus how to do it in a way that still feels safe and in control.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction 0:18 Why Outsourcing Feels Scary 1:15 How I Started Small (My Outsourcing Story) 3:39 Building Up: Social Media & Beyond 4:49 A message from a member of the Freelance Business Lounge 5:23 Things You Can Start Outsourcing Today 7:58 Tips for Safely Handing Over Access 8:24 Why It's Worth It

Connect with Sharon from my membership: Instagram or look at her Linktree. You can also download her freebie "Practical Guide for When School Doesn't See 'It'"

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode, I'm diving into something I talk about a lot with my coaching clients: the three levels of services you can offer: DIY (Do it Yourself), DWY (Done With You), and (DFY) Done For You. Whether you're thinking about adding passive income, building a membership, or just wondering how to price and structure what you do, this one's for you.

I also share a quick update on why this episode looks a little different than planned, turns out we all need to pivot sometimes!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction & Welcome 0:19 - Why This Episode Changed (Tool Shutdown) 0:45 - What the Episode Was Originally About 1:14 - DIY vs Done With You vs Done For You Overview 2:59 - Do It Yourself Explained 3:46 - Done With You Explained 4:56 - Done For You Explained 6:55 - My Own Service Examples: Membership, Coaching & Half-Day Offerings

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: [email protected]

Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group

Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.

Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz

Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business